It’s only a few weeks into the new year and already, 2020 has brought a lot of exciting and interesting changes to Hudson County. As always, businesses are constantly opening and closing throughout Hoboken and Jersey City, but this time around, we’d like to take a moment to spotlight the businesses that are opening locally.

We know how hard it can be to keep up with all the most recent headlines and construction developments, which is why we’ve conveniently done all the work for you. Want a glimpse of what 2020 will bring in Hoboken and Jersey City? Keep reading for all the businesses opening locally {that we know of so far!} in the year 2020!

What’s Opening {or has already opened} in Hoboken in 2020

Curry Up Now is the newest restaurant serving Indian cuisine in Hoboken at 91 Washington Street. Formerly the home of Wok to Walk, you’ll find everything from Thali platters and ghee makini bowls to vegan choices and gluten-free burrito options as well. Since most dishes often come with rice, there’s also a cauliflower rice option, too.

Curry Up Now began back in 2009, the brainchild of Akash Kapoor and his wife Rana while they were still living in California. They opened Curry Up Now as a food truck and it quickly became the fastest-growing Indian fast-casual concept in the U.S. Now, they have a total of seven brick-and-mortar locations nationwide and the Hoboken Curry Up marks the company’s second New Jersey outpost. Soon to come? A third New Jersey restaurant in Newark.

Monroe’s Cocktail Bar is coming soon to the Mile Square, taking over 36-42 Newark Street. The former Biggie’s space seems to be turning into a cocktail bar — though there isn’t much information about the new cocktail bar currently available. However, on Monroe’s official Instagram, they have been posting pictures of Marilyn Monroe, and have announced that they’re hiring. Their website, however, is still under construction. So far, the only thing the name has given away is that it may incorporate Marilyn Monroe into the theme and that it will be a cocktail bar.

Burger, beer, and fry chain Shake Shack is coming to the Mile Square sometime in 2020. Located at 107-111 Washington Street, Shake Shack has been trying to get into Hoboken for a while now, with the first rumors of a Shake Shack starting back in 2017. In 2017, Shake Shack was in talks to come to the same Downtown Hoboken spot next to the Walgreen’s on 1st and Washington. However, the deal eventually fell through. In 2018, new plans were drawn up but the Hoboken Zoning Board denied them and Shake Shack’s rendered signage was dropped from the conceptual images.

Then in 2019, Shake Shack’s official hiring page published a listing for a position in Hoboken, sparking rumors again. Now, Michael Rawlins of RIPCO real estate — the company behind Shake Shack’s New Jersey restaurants — confirmed the Hoboken Shake Shack will be opening in either quarter 2 or 3 of 2020.

Camp Bow Wow {1414-1418 Grand Street}

While not confirmed 100%, Camp Bow Wow is a national dog care service franchise that may be coming to Hoboken in the year 2020, according to Patch. An application for the franchise to open at 1414-1418 Grand Street was filed by Rufus + Drefus LLC earlier in the year and given to the City’s Zoning Board.

According to the application summary: “The proposed project involves a fit-out of the ground floor commercial space for a ‘doggy daycare’ facility. The facility will provide day and overnight care, ancillary services including basic grooming {e.g. bathing}, retail and pick-up/drop-off services.”

This new locale will be approximately 6,015 square feet of ground-floor space that will be divided into a walled-off lobby and reception area off Grand Street. An area for the dogs will be located in the rear. Additionally, it’ll feature a 945 square foot mezzanine in the northwest area. This will be for offices and for staff to take breaks.

Behind the lobby, there will be 60 “cabins” for dogs, the application proposes, as well as a grooming area, three indoor play areas, and prep area for meals for the dogs.

A new deli called the Pastrami House soft-opened in Hoboken on January 4th, 2020. Self-described as a “nostalgic ‘old world’ delicatessen,” Pastrami House is now open at 832 Washington Street, home of the former Boardwalk Fresh Burgers and Fries. Pastrami House is originally based in Lincroft, New Jersey and this Hoboken outpost marks the company’s second NJ deli.

According to its menu, it looks like Pastrami House will serve signature pastrami sandwiches on rye bread, corned beef, and feature a knish and salad bar. This is the owners’ fourth deli, regionally.

Little City Books on 1st Street in Hoboken has expanded its independent bookstore to a second Mile Square home on 14th and Adams Street. The 350-square-foot shop inside the third and newest bwè kafè opened in January 2020. An archway at the back of Bwè welcomes readers into the new space, while the remainder of the massive interior is occupied by lounge + work areas and a small kitchen, courtesy of bwè, and an outpost of floral shop Park + Bloom.

“A town has to want a bookstore in order to have a bookstore,” co-owner Donna Garban said. “Lots of our customers are from uptown, and they’re excited about the new store.” Learn more about this collab here.

Blushtan Hoboken, a new organic spray tan studio that has been operating via a mobile unit for the past year, is opening a brick-and-mortar shop at 161 4th Street. Between Bloomfield and Garden and right by favorites like Empire Coffee and Sweet Bakery, Blushtan owner Rachael Genovese is planning to open in mid-February or early March.

Garden Street Hemp {103 Garden Street }

New signage went up this past week at the former storefront of La Bouche Cafe. Signage confirms that 103 Garden Street will be transforming into Garden Street Hemp. Not much else is known about the forthcoming store, but it looks and sounds like it will be a hemp and CBD shop much like The Green Room at 64 Newark Street.

The grand opening for the first F45 functional training gym happened on January 18th. F45 has two gyms in town — in Hoboken North and Hoboken South — but this first grand opening will celebrate the Hoboken North gym at 720 Monroe Street. {The South gym will be at 84 Washington Street, likely later in the year.}

According to its website, F45 is specifically designed to provide functional, full-body workouts that focus on improving energy, metabolism, strength, and endurance. F45 also strongly emphasizes a team mentality, encouraging members to grow into the gym through the help of the community. The “45” in the title isn’t there just for fun either — the functional HIIT training sessions at F45 all aim to burn 750 calories within 45 minutes {talk about a serious workout}.

A new Italian restaurant called IL Tavolo di’ Palmisano is coming to the old storefront of Jack and Co between 7th and Clinton Streets. Hoboken Girl reported this back in November 2019, but now that official signage has gone up at the new restaurant, it seems like a matter of time before it opens its doors.

IL Tavolo di’ Palmisano comes from owner Frank Palmisano, who was previously a partner at Biggie’s Clam Bar. Originally, Palmisano said that IL Tavolo would be opening in mid to late-December, but now, sources are saying the space is about three weeks out from the opening.

Caffe Buon Gusto is known for its flagship Manhattan restaurant, but now the Italian restaurant is coming to Hoboken. Opening on 7th and Washington Street, Caffe Buon Gusto’s menu features appetizers, salads, and of course, pasta options galore. No word yet on an official opening date or timeline, but we’ll be updating this news as more information becomes available.

“7shifts takes historic sales data and weather into consideration when guiding restaurant owners and operators through making schedules, so this software knows a restaurant will need more employees on a sunny Saturday than a rainy Wednesday,” VP, Head of U.S. Operations Preston Junger tells Hoboken Girl in an email. “7shifts can also calculate labor as a percentage of sales by integrating with a restaurant’s POS.”

Some of 7shift’s current local customers include Quality Greens, Shaka Bowl, La Isla Uptown, and more.

Formerly Sasso’s Liquors and Delicatessen, Olivia’s is a new dining and cocktails spot coming to the Mile Square. Little is known about what will be served at this new locale, but we do know that renovations are currently underway at the restaurant and that according to its new Twitter account, it will be opening in the spring of 2020.

We reported on Shokudo’s tentative opening back in June 2019 and it looks like things are still in the works regarding when the new ramen restaurant will actually open. Shokudo diners, however, will find tonkotsu broths and shio or shoyu broths {for ramen dishes}, as well as classic Japanese fare such as rice bowls, edamame, and more.

Muteki Ramen, located at 533 Washington Street, is another ramen eatery that is coming soon to the Mile Square. This locale will serve ramen, of course, as well as potentially feature an outdoor cafe. The opening date is still TBD, but we’ll update you as soon as we get the news.

Once the spot of Aether Game Cafe, 519 Washington is now turning into SunMerry Bakery Cafe come 2020. The Taiwanese-inspired bakery was first founded in Taiwan in 1986 and has since opened up locations in New Jersey — Fort Lee and Edison — and in California — Irvine, Monterey Park, Temple City, and Rowland Heights. And now, the latest? Hoboken! According to their website, SunMerry haso over 80 kinds of breads and cakes and specializes in Asian pastries and desserts. You’ll find Green Tea Croissants, Taro Milk Cakes, BBQ Pork Chashu Bolo Buns, and other Asian delicacies you can’t find anywhere else.

Hoboken is also welcoming to town Mojo Coffee Company in 2020. Coming {hopefully} soon to 230 Willow Avenue, Mojo has been sharing snippets of its renovation for months now, assuring locals it’s “all in the details.” And it is! Word has it that the Mojo interior will feature gorgeous herringbone floors, a quaint brick wall, and of course, black and white wallpaper to align with Mojo’s aesthetic. No word yet on Mojo’s timeframe for opening, but it will likely be soon based on how renovations are going.

A new ice cream shop called Thomas’ Ice Cream Café will be taking over the former spot of The Little Grocery on Jefferson Street sometime in 2020. While Hobokenites have other ice cream spots in town — Ben and Jerry’s and Cold Stone Creamery — homeowned and operated ice cream shops that aren’t chains are few and far between. Coming to 214 Jeffereson Street, hours will be 7:30 AM to 9:30 PM Monday through Friday and 10 Am to 11 PM on weekends once Thomas’ opens.

What’s Opening {or Has Already Opened} in Jersey City in 2020

Lil’ Dove Cafe recently soft-opened at 589 Palisade Avenue in Jersey City. The coffee shop offers a variety of hot and cold drinks, small breakfast bites like avocado toast and egg salad sandwiches on multi-grain toast, and of course, pastries. Lil’ Dove also has a retail section of local products for purchase and is planning on hosting wellness events in the future. Welcome to the neighborhood, Lil’ Dove!

Lackawanna Coffee already has outposts in Jersey City — 140 Bay Street to 295 Grove Street — but this year, the popular coffee shop is opening up a third. Located inside The Lively at 321 Warren Street, the coffee shop specializes in hot, cold, iced, and organic beverages, as well as various pastries and toasts.

For updates on the new coffee shop, follow Lackawanna Coffee on Instagram.

A new Caribbean-West Indian eatery called Freetown Road has recently opened in Journal Square, moving into the former medical office at 640 Newark Street. Spearheaded by Chef Claude Lewis, a Food Network Chopped winner, the menu features different kinds of curry, braised oxtail, grilled goat, fried fish, and small West Indian-inspired bites.

Freetown Road is open Monday through Saturday at 12:00PM each day for lunch. They close at 6:00PM on Mondays, 8:00PM on Tuesdays through Thursdays, and 10:00PM on Fridays and Saturdays. Freetown Road is currently closed on Sundays {but that’s no issue, you’ve bot every other day of the week to enjoy the tasty food offered here}.

If you’re in need of perfume, look no further — a new perfume shop called Samia’s Scents has recently opened in Jersey City. Located at 950 West Side Avenue in Jersey City, Samia’s offers everything from perfume oils, body butter, and shower gel to house scents, oils burners, and incense. Check them out on Instagram to learn more about their products.

The Committed Pig already has restaurants in Manasquan, Summit, and Morristown, but they announced late in 2019 that they are expanding to an unconfirmed Jersey City location in 2020.

“The secrets out — we’re expecting! Tag a friend below you can’t wait to pig out with,” the official Instagram account wrote, regarding their new Jersey City spot.

Jersey Digs reported earlier in the year that a firm called JC Committed Pig LLC had submitted an application with the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board “in order to have the company’s plenary retail consumption liquor license be utilized in a commercial space at 1 Exchange Place.”

The burger and pancake house is hoping to have a liquor license, but you’ll also find dishes that put a signature twist on something traditional. Think fried pickle chips, falafel burgers, pork roll sandwiches, and so much more. There’s also the Twenty Dollar Burger, which is hard to ignore — a $19 burger with one pound of chopped meat, American cheese, bacon, lettuce, tomato, onion, mayo, ketchup, and mustard served on a toasted brioche bun.

Sushi by Bou, a new sushi speakeasy located in the back of Ani Ramen House in Downtown Jersey City, has officially opened its “secret” doors. Sushi by Bou has at least nine other speakeasies in both New York and Miami and is characterized by its unique take on Omakase sushi.

The Jersey City speakeasy features limited spots and timed eating that goes by time slots. There are 30-minute and 60-minute time slot options. So, say you sit down at 7:00PM for the 30-minute sitting, then you have 30 minutes to indulge in Omakase sushi goodness.

There are also no servers! Sushi by Bou promises a unique experience in that each sitting is only about eight to 10 people per timed eating slot, but it’s also unique in that patrons get one-on-one time with the chef. No servers. Just you, your date, the chef, and the sushi.

Salad chain Sweetgreen is also making its way to Jersey City this upcoming year. Very popular throughout New York City and other metropolitan areas like Washington, D.C., where it originated from, Sweetgreen has plans to open at 90 Hudson Street by Spring 2020.

If Malaysian cuisine is your jam, then you’re in luck. This Jersey City newcomer, Mamak House, is a new restaurant serving Malaysian and Chinese hybrid dishes and so much more. “We do catering and parties. We also have a full bar with cocktail bar, wine, and beers,” says Edison Zhou in an email to Hoboken Girl. “We have craft beers as well!”

Of course, Zhou saw the chance to bring something unique to our area and the rest is, well, history.

“[We] saw an opportunity [in] Jersey City since this is the only area that lacks these types of food,” Zhou explains.

Getting coffee while on the go has never been so mobile since Hybrid Coffee — the mobile truck — came to 2 Exchange Place in Jersey City. But now, the coffee shop on wheels just opened a brick and mortar location as well at 110 Cambridge Avenue. A great place for stoppping to get everything from lattes to small bites like loaded avocado toast and brioche French toast, you can pop into the Kitchen Monday through Friday 7 AM to 5:30 PM and Saturdays 8 AM to 5 PM.

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Stephanie Osmanski writes honest things about health, the planet, and being a woman. Her words have appeared on Business Insider, Parade, Eat This Not That, Dogster, Scary Mommy, Green Matters, Parents, Seventeen, Life & Style, InTouch Weekly, and more. Her articles have been syndicated on World Economic Forum, MSN, MSN UK, and MSN Canada. In her free time, Stephanie and her registered therapy dog, Koda, volunteer at local hospitals, nursing homes, and other healthcare facilities.